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Diagnosis: Mitral Regurgitation, Atrial Fibrillation

Member Since: July 2, 2018

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Bill Gillam posted an update

1 year ago (August 13, 2024)

So, we all know that good dental hygiene is critical to us valve patients. I have always taken amoxicillin at each dental cleaning but my wife just went to her endodontist today. Very good endodontist told her that routine cleanings with antibiotics are not enough for us older folks. He... Read more.

Rose Madura

I'm not a dentist or a doctor but I would think one (no matter the age) would only need a periodontal cleaning if you have periodontal disease. Maybe I'm wrong?

Yumiko Ishida

Rose, that is my understanding, too.

Joanne Heckmann

May I ask why your wife is going to an endodontist rather than a regular dentist? That may give a clue as to why she was told this, and you were not.

Susan Lynn

If regular cleanings aren't sufficient to stay ahead of plaque buildup, or the patient has periodontal pockets, a periodontal cleaning might be necessary. But, since periodontal clearings require scaling (scraping) under the gum line, there's usually a lot of bleeding - it's unavoidable. Unfortunately, bleeding is the way germs from... Read more.

Anna Rakowicz

My husband has gum disease and goes regularly for periodontal cleanings. Though I get regular dental cleaning every 4 mos vs every 6 mos, periodontal cleaning has not been recommended for me.

Robert Miller

I did read that dental hygiene can influence heart health. I am not sure how but I suspect it makes a pretty small difference. Still, I asked Adam if he could do some educational course about this topic.

Bill Gillam

I agree that periodontal cleanings would cause excess bleeding over routine cleanings so I will proceed with routine cleanings twice per year with antibiotics. My wife was at the endodontist for a root canal and just waded into the topic because of me. By the way yesterday was my sixth... Read more.

Bill Gillam posted an update

2 years ago (August 21, 2023)

Five years ago, God, Dr. Glower and the Duke team repaired my mitral valve and saved my life. Lucky to report that is like it never happened! God is good!

🥰 Pamela Gregory, Cathleen Weed and reacted to this